She had been on loan to NASA as #832, but was one of 3 Blackbirds reactivated by the Air Force in 1995. In early July 1999, the US Air Force transferred ownership of all four flyable SR-71s to NASA (click here for a NASA press release).

Marta Bohn-Meyer (left) and Steve Ishmael (right) are greeted by Jay Murphy of Lockheed on January 12, 1995, when they delivered 971 to Palmdale to be prepped for re-activation by the Air Force - photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin

As of February 2000, #971 has been moved to the back ramp at Dryden, parked next to 844 (980).

November 1999 photo showing 971 and 967 parked on the ramp outside their old Det2 hangars - photo courtesy of Tony Landis